Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I bring you news from the third front. The battle wages for control of the border, and I'm not talking about the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan where the Taliban runs back and forth at will to commit crimes in Afghanistan and then goes and hides in Pakistan. No, I'm bringing you news from the border, the southern border of the United States, which is very violent.

In Reynosa, Mexico, right across the border from the Rio Grande River in Texas, recently the U.S. consulate closed because of the violence on the border. In fact, Americans are prohibited from being in that consulate office because of the kidnappings, the murders, the shootings, the Old West-style events that are taking place on this border town south of our border.

The inconvenient truth is there is a battle for the border that is taking place in our own country. Across the southern border of the United States the drug cartels, all in the name of money and their financing of illegal activities, including organized crime and violence, and working with the coyotes--those people, for money, that smuggle people into the United States--are seeking control of our border so that they can bring in drugs and people. It seems as though drugs and people are coming into the United States and going south are money and guns.

Someone has said recently that the northern border is porous and the southern border is porous. But at the northern border all you've got to do is walk across; on the southern border you can shoot your way across into the United States. But be that as it may, we have a problem. It's an inconvenient truth that we spend time on other issues besides national security of our own borders, and it seems to me that we ought to solve this problem.

But before we do this, we now hear this talk again, this talk by those who don't live on the border about, well, let's just give everybody that's in the country illegally a little amnesty. Amnesty for all is what they say. But these individuals that preach amnesty are ignoring the obvious: if we grant amnesty, that means all of the criminals that have come into the United States--like drug dealers, like those bandits that come here to commit crimes--they get that free amnesty as well. And they get the permission to stay here in the United States, not just those people that come here trying to seek a better life and to work.

Some have estimated that in our county jails and our prisons up to 20 percent of the people incarcerated are in this country from foreign countries. And yet we want to grant amnesty to all of these people? Amnesty has proven in this country it doesn't work; it encourages people to come here illegally.

So what should we do? We should do three things and we should do them in this order: the first thing we do is secure the border and mean it when we say we will secure the border. If necessary, we should have our military on the southern border of the United States so that people don't cross into this country illegally without permission of the United States. We have given lipservice to border security, and we haven't solved that problem.

You tell me, Mr. Speaker, that the greatest country that has ever existed, the greatest country militarily that has ever existed, the strongest country that has ever existed in the history of the world can't protect its own borders? I think not. We can do it, but we don't have the moral will to do it, and we have to make the decision that we will secure the Nation's border. The first duty of government is national security.

After we secure the border, we've got to deal with the immigration problem. The legal immigration system we have now is a disaster. It has been a disaster since the fifties. It is time to set that aside and to draw up an easier model, a more efficient model, a business model that solves the issues of immigration, a model that makes it more streamlined, efficient, and secure so that, when people come into the United States legally, we know who they are and so that we keep up with who they are--whether they want to be here as citizens, whether they want to work, whether they want to be tourists, or whether they're coming over here just to visit somebody.

Solve the border problem first. Solve the immigration problem second. Then deal with the problem of the 20 million-plus people illegally in the United States. We can solve that problem, but we can't solve that problem until we deal with the first two. It is time for the government to do its job. The duty of government is to protect us, not to give our country away to other people who want to come here illegally.

So, right now, the border war continues--controlled by the drug cartels, controlled by the human smugglers who wish to make money and who profiteer from illegal activities on the southern border of the United States. We owe it to the citizens of this country, and we also owe it to the citizens of the countries which are south of the United States to secure the border, to fix the immigration issue, and then to deal with the issue of the illegal immigrants who are here.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, we grieve with those in Haiti over the loss of life during the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake January 12. Many Americans rushed to help, including one particular Texan from Beaumont. Firefighter Joshua Fowler is one such hero. The city of Beaumont in the Second District of Texas is proud to honor Joshua Fowler for his service to the people of Haiti during his international rescue tour as a member of the Texas Task Force 1.

The Texas Task Force 1, an urban search and rescue group, is comprised of 210 personnel. These individuals respond to disasters including earthquakes, hurricanes, widespread tornadoes, and man-made technological and terrorist events in Texas and throughout the United States. Haiti was their very first international deployment. Joshua Fowler has been a firefighter/EMT-1 for the City of Beaumont Fire/ Rescue Services since 2000 and was one of 80 Texans that assisted the people of Haiti.

We applaud Joshua for his selfless service as well as the many others that have also put themselves in harm's way to protect and rescue Haitians who were trapped and wounded during this earthquake. We thank them for their commitment to responding to disaster-stricken areas with a selfless love for others.

Mr. Speaker, three of our tenacious Navy SEALs captured one of the worst terrorists in the world: Ahmed Hashim Abed.

In 2004, four Blackwater security guards were transporting supplies in Fallujah, Iraq. They were caught in an ambush and murdered by those cowards in the desert. These Americans were set on fire, mutilated, dragged through the streets, and hung from a bridge over the Euphrates River.

Abed, the terrorist, was the mastermind behind the massacre of these Americans. But Navy SEALs McCabe, Keefe, and Huertas captured this outlaw. But now for some odd reason, they are being put on trial--the SEALs, not the terrorist.

The whiny terrorist later claimed he was punched in the stomach during his capture on the battlefield. It hurt his little terrorist feelings, it seems. Now the SEALs face a court martial.

Congress should commend the valiant actions of these Navy SEALs, and I have introduced a resolution to do just that. These SEALs should be given medals and sent out to bag another one.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I support House Concurrent Resolution 249. This resolution commemorates the 45th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the role it played in ensuring the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

On Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965, John Lewis, now Congressman John Lewis and Chairman John Lewis, and the late Hosea Williams, led a march in Selma, Alabama, to demand racial and political equality in the United States.

They led 600 civil rights marchers east out of Selma, Alabama, toward the State's capital in Montgomery. They got as far as the Edmund Pettus Bridge six blocks away, where State and local lawmen attacked them with clubs and tear gas and forced them back into Selma. Congressman Lewis was beaten unconscious, leaving him with a concussion and many other injuries.

The events on Bloody Sunday were televised nationally, and the Nation responded to these actions. As a result, within eight days, President Lyndon Johnson called for a comprehensive voting rights bill to protect African Americans and other citizens' right to vote, which is already guaranteed in the 15th Amendment.

Bipartisan majorities in both Houses of Congress approved the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and President Johnson signed this historic legislation into law on August 6, 1965, less than 5 months after Bloody Sunday.

I totally support this resolution's observance and celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday marchers, whose sacrifices made it possible for the Voting Rights Act to come into being. I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this resolution.

I reserve balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cao).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I think it's well said, as our majority leader pointed out, that in the Declaration of Independence, the basis for who we are, states ``that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights.'' In other words, we get our rights from the Almighty. We don't get our rights from government or from others or from the king. We get our rights because we get them from the Almighty. And as it states in the Declaration of Independence, that governments are instituted to secure those rights. And first it was the 15th Amendment, and yet there needed to be more legislation. Because of the events that occurred on Bloody Sunday, ironically a President from the South signed the Civil Rights Act of 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson from Texas. This was a bipartisan piece of legislation in that in this House of Representatives, the majority of the Democrats, 217, and the majority of the Republicans, 111, voted for this legislation with about 20 percent or less in both parties voting against it. Bipartisan legislation passed with a vast majority of both the Republicans and the Democrats, a sign that bipartisanship on important pieces of legislation is necessary, and it is effective.

So I totally support this resolution. I commend those folks 45 years ago when you and I, Mr. Speaker, were just in--I guess you'd be in elementary school. I was in junior high. And this event occurred, those noble 600 that walked through the streets of Alabama, and thus, the Civil Rights Act, as we have today.

So I yield back the balance of my time, totally supporting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H. Res. 1081 which supports the goals and ideals of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This nationwide effort seeks to increase public awareness and to educate citizens about the prevalence of dating violence among American teenagers. The Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative was spearheaded by teenagers across our Nation who chose to take a stand and put a stop to teen dating violence. The initiative began in 2004 and is now supported by numerous national, State and local organizations, and in 2005, this Congress noted the importance of addressing teen dating violence and highlighted the initiative in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

The call to end dating violence was formally recognized by the House in 2006, and to bring more public awareness about teen dating violence, the House designated the first full week in February to be National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week over the last 3 years. However, the Justice Department worked with Congress to designate the entire month of February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This designation provides parity to the three other crimes--sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking-- each of which has a designated month for public education and awareness activities. Across the country, dozens of States, cities and towns join Congress to designate February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. And in doing so, these jurisdictions demonstrated their collective commitment to ending teen dating violence and to support the numerous victims and survivors who live among us.

Research tells us that one in three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. These violent relationships can have serious consequences for victims, putting them at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide and adult revictimization. In fact, teen girls who are physically and sexually abused are six times more likely to become pregnant and more than two times as likely to report a sexually transmitted disease as teen girls who are not abused. Perhaps the most alarming statistic is how prevalent this violence is in our country. Studies show that one in three teens has suffered from some sort of violence in a dating relationship. We also know that dating violence among children is not limited to physical, emotional or sexual assault. It also can take the form of harassment via computer or cell phone text messaging or by e-mail.

National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month provides an opportunity for parents to engage their children about dating violence and abusive relationships. Surveys of teens indicate that parents often do not know their children are in a relationship that is abusive. To start the dialogue, parents or teens can call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474. The helpline promotes awareness of healthy dating relationships and offers tips on preventing abusive relationships. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no further requests for time, Mr. Speaker, and I am prepared to close. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This is an important piece of legislation to bring national awareness to this problem. Some of the violence that occurs among our teenagers is horrible, the things they are doing to each other and those especially in a relationship and dating. I think it's important that the country understand that teen violence among those who are dating is a tremendous problem. I have four kids, three of them are girls, and their safety has always been a concern as they were growing up. As all parents have that concern. So I totally support this resolution and urge its adoption.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 1087, which honors the life of Judge Jack Ruffin. Judge Ruffin was a pioneering civil rights lawyer in his community, and his impact on the civil rights movement affects many today.

He was born in Waynesboro, Georgia, where his portrait today hangs in the Burke County Courthouse. Growing up in the Deep South, his mother wanted him to be a school teacher and not a lawyer because she feared for his safety. But not to be intimidated, Judge Ruffin went to law school anyway. And despite his mother's concerns about his safety, he became a lawyer.

After law school he moved to Augusta, Georgia, where he became the first African American member of the Augusta Bar Association. He argued countless cases for civil rights. In perhaps the most notable case, Acree v. Board of Education, he filed suit to desegregate the Richmond County school system, which included the City of Augusta. Litigation continued for decades before he finally obtained a Federal court order to integrate the system.

From 1986 to 1994 he served as the first African American Superior Court Judge in the Augusta Judicial Circuit. In 1994, he was appointed to the Georgia Court of Appeals. And in 2005, he became the first African American Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals. In 2009, the Augusta-Richmond County Commission decided to name the new Richmond County judicial center in Augusta in Jack Ruffin's honor.

Judge Ruffin's selfless and brave pursuit of equal justice for everyone earned him the respect and admiration of generations to come. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I urge the adoption of this resolution and commend the Georgia delegation for bringing it forward, Mr. Barrow especially.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, additional permanent bankruptcy judgeships have not been authorized since 1992. The Judicial Conference has requested more judgeships several times and the House has passed legislation to add them; however, the Senate has not acted on these requests.

Since Congress last authorized additional permanent judgeships, judicial workloads have increased substantially. The important bankruptcy reforms Congress passed in 2005, for example, called on judges to do more to prevent abuse.

Congress compensated for some of the court's increasing burden in recent years by creating temporary bankruptcy judgeships. Many of those judgeships are near their expiration dates.

The time has come for Congress to address bankruptcy judgeships needs on a permanent basis. Bankruptcy judges are essential to the bankruptcy process. They make certain that the process is fair and impartial to those who come before the bankruptcy courts. It is also their job to ensure that the bankruptcy courts effectively adjudicate parties' rights and responsibilities.

This bill is based on a comprehensive study done by the Judicial Conference. The conference has assured us that its request comes only after taking steps to maximize all other alternatives to reduce judicial workloads.

There are currently 352 bankruptcy judges, including 36 temporary judges. This legislation creates 13 new permanent bankruptcy judgeships and converts 22 of the existing temporary judgeships to permanent status. It also provides a 5-year extension for two temporary judgeships.

Finally, this bill will not present any new cost for the taxpayers. The increased cost of these judgeships are paid by an increase in chapter 7, chapter 11, and chapter 13 bankruptcy filing fees. Those who do business in the courts will be paying the extra burdens, not the taxpayers.

We need a bankruptcy system that has a sufficient number of judges to manage the system's caseload in a just, economical, and timely manner. This bill helps ensure that we have such a system. I urge my colleagues to adopt this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, we have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise in support of H. Res. 1115, honoring the legacy of Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena on the 25th anniversary of his murder.

Words are not sufficient to express the debt that our country owes to Special Agent Camarena and to his family. His life of selfless service, courage of conviction, and dedication to protecting the American people will be remembered in our hearts and minds forever.

Twenty-five years ago, Agent Camarena gave his life in the line of duty after he was abducted. He was tortured and eventually was murdered. Agent Camarena was working undercover as a DEA special agent gaining valuable intelligence and evidence against Mexican drug cartels when he was kidnapped in broad daylight on a street in Guadalajara, Mexico. It is believed that he was tortured for around 2 days, and eventually he was bludgeoned to death.

We honor his life, we mourn his death, and we renew our commitment to ensure that his legacy is never forgotten.

When asked why he wanted to be a DEA agent, Special Agent Camarena replied, ``Even if I am only one person, I can make a difference.'' Thousands of individuals across our Nation can attest to the difference he has made in their lives.

Every day and every night, law enforcement officers across this Nation go to work aware of the dangers they face. These brave men and brave women put their lives at risk so the rest of us can sleep better at night and live safer lives. As we go about our daily lives, as we sleep in the safety of our homes, these individuals fight against the violence that threatens our neighborhoods, our communities, and our loved ones. And much of that violence is drug related.

I stand before the House today with heartfelt gratitude for every law enforcement officer who serves the communities throughout this country, and especially for those who have given their lives in the line of duty for the rest of us.

As we take a moment to pause and reflect on the heroic life and tragic death of this individual, the drug cartels continue. They continue to wage war on our borders and threaten the safety of so many people, and they do so all in the name of money. Yet they will soon come to learn that our pursuit of justice will not waiver and it will not weaken just because they continue their criminal enterprises north and south of our borders.

To the family of Special Agent Camarena, we share in their grief and we will ensure that his legacy lives on. We will relentlessly fight against the drug cartels and the border violence that they have caused. We want to thank this family for sharing with our country a man who truly is an American hero.

To the individuals who continue to pursue those who abducted and tortured and murdered Special Agent Camarena, we thank them, we support them, and we have committed to those individuals that we will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice and tried for their evil deeds.

To our Nation's law enforcement officers, we thank them for risking their lives each day to protect our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families shall always be remembered. Across our Nation, there are countless stories of men and women who have given their time, their resources, and their lives to protect and defend America.

Although we each have only one life to live, Special Agent Kiki Camarena has shown us the difference that one individual can make. Although we remember Special Agent Camarena's tragic death today, I am encouraged by his life and the lives of so many who have dedicated themselves to public service. Without the sacrifices of these brave men and women, America would not be what we are today. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), the sponsor of this legislation.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the special agents that work in the Drug Enforcement Administration, the DEA, are special agents indeed. Many times they work alone, they work deep undercover, they work not only in the United States, but in foreign countries, and they work for the sole purpose of trying to capture those outlaws who are in the drug business, who, in the name of money, try to sell their wares and profit on that illegal enterprise. They are an international crime cartel syndicate. Our DEA agents do a wonderful job. We sometimes forget the work that they do. This is just one of many who have worked and dedicated their lives to helping protect the rest of us.

As my friend from California (Mr. Hunter) has pointed out, much of this violence occurs on our borders because the drug cartels operate on international borders, on our border with Mexico especially. Because the drug cartels, in the name of money, are very violent, they are well armed, they are well financed, and they will do anything in their relentless effort to bring drugs into the United States.

We need to be aware that they have committed a war against the United States and all people who oppose their

activities. And so it is quite appropriate that today we honor and commemorate the life of one of those special agents who gave his life trying to protect us from the drug cartels.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in total support of House Resolution 1061, honoring the heroic actions of Court Security Officer Stanley Cooper, Deputy United States Marshal Richard J. ``Joe'' Gardner, the law enforcement officers of the United States Marshal Service, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the court security officers in responding to an armed assault at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse.

On the morning of January 4, 2010, an armed gunman walked into the Las Vegas Courthouse and opened fire, fatally wounding Court Security Officer Stanley Cooper and seriously wounding Deputy United States Marshal J. ``Joe'' Gardner.

The valiant actions of these two men saved the lives of many people and innocent civilians in the courthouse. In a time of tragedy and crisis, Court Security Officer Cooper and Deputy United States Marshal Gardner responded immediately with selfless courage, placing the lives of others before their own.

Court Security Officer Cooper lived his life protecting the lives of other people. After 26 years of service with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, he retired to work at the Las Vegas Courthouse as a security officer. It was here that Officer Cooper died valiantly defending the halls of justice. For even after being fatally wounded, he continued to try to subdue the gunman, ultimately ensuring the safety of those that were in the courthouse that day. We join in the sorrow of his family and mourn the loss of this great individual. His legacy of a life dedicated to public service will not be forgotten.

In the moments that followed the fatal shooting, Deputy United States Marshal Joe Gardner and six other members of the United States Marshal Service, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and court security officers acted swiftly to subdue the gunman. Deputy United States Marshal Joe Gardner suffered gunshot wounds to his upper arm. We are grateful his life was not lost on that tragic day, and we honor his courageous actions as well.

The memory of that day serves as a haunting reminder of the dangers that our law enforcement officers face each day of their lives. In a split second, on a quiet Monday morning, it can turn into a battle between those who seek to harm innocent people and those who give their lives fighting to protect those same individuals.

Today, we honor Officer Cooper, Deputy United States Marshal Gardner, and law enforcement officers across this country. We remember the high price they pay for answering the call of duty, and they are on duty every day.

The tragic events that occurred on January 4, 2010 will be remembered by all of us. We will not forget the heroism and patriotism that was shown by Officer Cooper, Deputy U.S. Marshal Gardner, and the six other brave men and women.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I spent 30 years as a prosecutor and as a judge at the courthouse in Houston, all in the criminal courts building. I am very familiar with the individuals who work in the courthouse, who protect those who come to the seat of justice, to the bar of justice to seek grievances against our government.

Throughout those years, it became obvious to me that, in our country, the way we settle disputes is at the courthouse where we have two sides, sometimes more than two sides, who show up to argue their cases. Then there is a ruling by the judge on the law. Yet sometimes, as in this case, people show up at the courthouse and wish to take matters into their own hands in a violent manner.

We have folks at the courthouse who protect us, not just the lawyers and judges, but to protect those people who come to the courthouse to seek justice. Those people in our system are called the security officers, or bailiffs, as they are called in Texas.

More than once, unfortunately, I have had the unfortunate opportunity of having seen people disagree with what took place in the courthouse and of having seen them get out of control. Yet those security officers, those bailiffs, those deputy sheriffs were there to protect the seat of justice. These are examples of two of those. One was killed, and one was wounded in making sure that justice prevails in our justice system and that the law is not taken advantage of in a violent manner.

So we honor those individuals, not just these two but the others who helped from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and all of those court officers who work every day in every courthouse in the United States to make sure we have a secure and a safe justice system.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

This is about our troops. This is about Americans who have been willing to protect the rest of us when duty calls and in time of war. Army Specialist Jarrett Griemel was one of those noble Americans. He was a patriot. He joined the United States Army right out of high school. He had completed basic training before he graduated from high school in his junior year at La Porte High School in Texas. In 2008, Jarrett married his high school sweetheart, Candice, in a small ceremony before the justice of the peace. She joined him in Alaska, where he was deployed by the Army, to begin their young married lives together. He was a petroleum supply specialist assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Battalion.

Last June, Jarrett was killed at the age of 20 years in Afghanistan. This is his photograph. He is on this board--the board with 27 other Texans from our congressional district area. He is the latest to have been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan as a volunteer to go overseas and protect the rest of us in time of war. He believed in protecting our country. He believed in it so much he was willing to leave his wife and go halfway around the world to fight an enemy on the enemy's own turf. And he believed in it so much that he was willing to give his life for the rest of us. So if we pass this resolution, what message do we send to Jarrett's family or Jarrett's young bride--that his sacrifice just wasn't enough? That it was all for naught?

We don't quit war because war is hard. War has always been hard. Every good thing this country has ever achieved has been hard. We don't quit and run because it is difficult. We stay because we believe, like Jarrett, that the fight against an enemy that is bent on our destruction is worth it. That is the reason these other 27 from all races and both sexes fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Last December, I had the privilege to go to Afghanistan and meet Americans like Jarrett and these others who are risking their lives for us here at home. They told me that they missed their families, they missed their kids, but also they believe the work they're doing is worth it, and they're eager to finish the job and get back home. They continue to fight, and fight hard, and they want success. And we must remember, Mr. Speaker, they're all volunteers. America's finest.

General McChrystal's new strategy is effective and already leading to key victories. It makes no sense to all of a sudden pick up and leave when we're the ones winning this war and the enemy is receiving crushing blow after crushing blow. We cannot pull the rug out from underneath our troops. Of course, al Qaeda and the Taliban would say, I told you so. The Americans, they just don't have the stomach for war. They would once again, these enemies of the world, creep back into the seats of power and darkness and would turn their countries back a thousand years. Women would once again not be allowed to go to school, political dissidents would be murdered, and Afghanistan would once again become a safe haven for terrorists to plot and plan their next attacks against people they don't like throughout the world, including Americans. All Americans would be in danger.

War is hard. The cut-and-run crowd do not understand if we retreat unilaterally and quit this war, the war will not be over, because our enemies will continue the war against us whether we continue against them or not. Our troops would return home with one question: Why? Why would you bring us home when victory was so close? Why did we fight so hard, make so many sacrifices, only to have those that believe in peace at any price say it's time to quit?

Now is not the time to retreat. This enemy is real. It must be defeated. This is not about the politics of fear with some hypothetical enemy but assessing reality and supporting these men and women and others that are over there and protecting our home from terrorists that want nothing more than to destroy us wherever they find us in the world. Past successes don't guarantee future success. Victory is close, but we have not obtained it yet. Abandonment and retreat--those are not strategies. We stay because it's in our interest to stay and secure a victory against the enemies of the world.

General Petraeus said, ``We've got to show that we are in this; that we are going to provide sustained, substantial commitment.'' Make no mistake about it, Mr. Speaker, the troops and their families are watching this debate today to see what we shall do here in Congress. They are looking for who will support them and who will not. We must defeat this resolution and the Taliban and the al Qaeda and support our military.

Last Saturday, March 6, was the 174th anniversary of the battle at the Alamo where those people walked across that line rather than give in to the enemy.

I thank the gentlelady. They were led by a 27-year- old individual from South Carolina by way of Alabama. He said at the Alamo, ``I shall never surrender or retreat,'' and they did not surrender or retreat because war was hard then, and it cost them all their lives. But victory was obtained later, and freedom was obtained.

War is hard. It is always hard. And we shall not give in. We shall not surrender or retreat. It is in our interest and in the interest of America to defeat the enemy and let them have no doubt in their minds that we will be victorious.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, today the Second District of Texas recognizes Ms. Gail Krohn for her service to the Nederland Independent School District as she retired earlier this month. For 43 years, she has helped forge the minds of countless students, preparing them for an ever-changing and demanding world.

Gail was born in Kentucky and moved around through five different states before she and her family settled in Hull-Daisetta, TX. They stayed until she graduated from Lamar State College of Technology. Soon thereafter, she embarked on a long and fruitful career working with children in the Nederland Independent School District.

She began her career as a reading teacher at C.O. Wilson Middle School but was destined for a leadership role. Gail would eventually become principal of Central Middle School before taking over the role of Superintendent in 1997. Though she no longer worked with children on a daily basis, Gail made sure that the classrooms in Nederland always empowered students to achieve their dreams.

Numerous times throughout her career, Gail received recognition for her excellence in the

classroom and for her work with students. The Region V Education Service Center named her Outstanding Principal while the Council on Exceptional Children presented her with the Will L. Smith Award. Similarly, Lamar University inducted her into their Administrator's Hall of Fame.

The Second Congressional District of Texas honors Ms. Gail Krohn for her many years of service to the Nederland Independent School District. The lessons and ideals that she taught will resonate with students and generations for years to come.

And that's the way it is.

Madam Speaker, the United States broke away from our mother country over 200 years ago. The decision to throw off our royal rulers looks even better today.

England has government-run health care, and it's dangerous to one's health.

Recently, the London Daily Mail reported the story of Kane Gorny:

Kane was a 22-year-old man who had hip replacement surgery under England's government-run health care system. Afterwards, reports say he was neglected by hospital staff. He was not even given his medications. Kane was immobile. He couldn't even get a drink of water on his own. So Kane called the police and begged them to bring him some water. When the police showed up, they were turned away by hospital staff, who said Kane was a problem patient.

The next day, Kane died of thirst in that government-run hospital in London. The police are investigating.

Madam Speaker, importing government-run health care into America would be unhealthy for everybody. Just ask the family of Kane Gorny, who died of dehydration in that British-run hospital.

And that's just the way it is.

Madam Speaker, throughout U.S. history, individuals selflessly and courageously have taken a stand for freedom and liberty, many times against great odds.

March 6, 1836 was one of those times. This date is what most Americans know as the day the Alamo fell against Mexico General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his Mexican troops. The siege against the Texian Army lasted 13 days. The battle began on February 23rd when Santa Anna and his army arrived at the Alamo and caught the Texian Army by surprise. On the second day of the siege, Texian Alamo Commander William Barret Travis called for reinforcements, bravely stating: ``I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch . . . Victory or Death.''

On the eighth day of the 13-day siege, 32 additional men from Gonzales arrived ready to fight for Texas. Legend has it that Commander William B. Travis drew a line on the ground asking the few men present to step over if they were willing to stay and fight, to defend the Alamo for the sake of Texas. All present stepped over, except one.

There were 189 defenders, including famous knife fighter Jim Bowie and former Tennessee congressman Davy Crockett. All of the defenders were volunteers and originated from all over the globe. Eleven of the defenders were born in Texas, 131 of the defenders were born in some 23 various states in America, 29 of the defenders were born abroad, mostly in Europe, one defender was a freed slave, and there are 17 defenders of which their birthplace has not been identified.

All of the Alamo defenders stood their ground against the overwhelming odds. Some estimate that Santa Anna's army consisted of 6,000 troops. At the end of the day on March 6, 1836, after the smoke cleared, all 189 defenders gave their lives for Texas. The enemy casualties were enormous. As Travis said, ``Victory will cost the enemy more than defeat.''

This historic battle resulted in General Sam Houston having enough time to gather a strong army of men to avenge Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto 46 days later. On April 21st Sam Houston led an army of 800 volunteers and angry Texans to defeat Santa Anna and his 1,500 strong Mexican army, most of whom were the same invaders that were at the Alamo. This victory played an important role in the Texas Revolution.

Texas was an independent nation for 9 years following the Battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto. The freedom the Texians enjoyed during those years would not have occurred without the thousands of selfless volunteers who risked and gave their lives to protect the liberties they believed every person should retain.

Today the Alamo remains a great treasure to the story of Texas and represents the steadfast, unrelenting character of the American spirit. The fight for freedom that these heroic Alamo defenders displayed is a testament of living boldly and courageously for the cause of liberty. We honor and thank these volunteers for their role in defending and fighting for Liberty and for Texas.

And that's just the way it is.

Alamo Defenders

1. Abamillo, Juan, TX, 2. Allen, Robert, VA, 3. Andross, Miles DeForrest, VT, 4. Autry, Micajah, NC, 5. Badillo, Juan A., TX, 6. Bailey, Peter James III, KY, 7. Baker, Isaac G., AR, 8. Baker, William Charles M., MO, 9. Ballentine, John J., PA, 10. Ballantine, Richard W., Scotland, 11. Baugh, John J., VA, 12. Bayliss, Joseph, TN, 13. Blair, John, TN, 14. Blair, Samuel, TN, 15. Blazeby, William, England, 16. Bonham, James Butler, SC, 17. Bourne, Daniel, England, 18. Bowie, James, KY, 19. Bowman, Jesse B., TN, 20. Brown, George, England, 21. Brown, James, PA, 22. Brown, Robert, unknown, 23. Buchanan, James, AL, 24. Burns, Samuel E., Ireland, and 25. Butler, George, D., MO.

26. Cain, John, PA, 27. Campbell, Robert, TN, 28. Carey, William R., VA, 29. Clark, Charles Henry, MO, 30. Clark, M.B., MS, 31. Cloud, Daniel William, KY, 32. Cochran, Robert E., NH, 33. Cottle, George Washington, MO, 34. Courtman, Henry, Germany, 35. Crawford, Lemuel, SC, 36. Crockett, David, TN, 37. Crossman, Robert, PA, 38. Cummings, David P., PA, 39. Cunningham, Robert, NY, 40. Darst, Jacob C., KY, 41. Davis, John, KY, 42. Day, Freeman H.K., unknown, 43. Day, Jerry C., MO, 44. Daymon, Squire, TN, 45. Dearduff, William, TN, 46. Dennison, Stephen, England or Ireland, 47. Despallier, Charles, LA, 48. Dewall, Lewis, NY, 49. Dickinson, Almeron, TN, and 50. Dillard, John Henry, TN.

51. Dimpkins, James R., England, 52. Duvalt, Andrew, Ireland, 53. Espalier, Carlos, TX, 54. Esparza, Gregorio, TX, 55. Evans, Robert, Ireland, 56. Evans, Samuel B., NY, 57. Ewing, James L., TN, 58. Faunterloy, William Keener, KY, 59. Fishbaugh, William, unknown, 60. Flanders, John, MA, 61. Floyd, Dolphin Ward, NC, 62. Forsyth, John Hubbard, NY, 63. Fuentes, Antonio, TX, 64. Fuqua, Galba, AL, 65. Garnett, William, VA, 66. Garrand, James W., LA, 67. Garrett, James Girard, TN, 68. Garvin, John E., unknown, 69. Gaston, John E., KY, 70. George, James, unknown, 71. Goodrich, John C., VA, 72. Grimes, Albert Calvin, GA, 73. Guerrero, Jose Maria, TX, 74. Gwynne, James C., England, and 75. Hannum, James, PA.

76. Harris, John, KY, 77. Harrison, Andrew Jackson, TN, 78. Harrison, William B, OH, 79.

Hawkins, Joseph M., Ireland, 80. Hays, John M., TN, 81. Heiskell, Charles M., TN, 82. Herndon, Patrick Henry, VA, 83. Hersee, William Daniel, England, 84. Holland, Tapley, OH, 85. Holloway, Samuel, PA, 86. Howell, William D., MA, 87. Jackson, Thomas, Ireland, 88. Jackson, William Daniel, KY, 89. Jameson, Green B., KY, 90. Jennings, Gordon C., CT, 91. Jimenes (Ximenes), Damacio, TX, 92. Johnson, Lewis, Wales, 93. Johnson, William, PA, 94. Jones, John, NY, 95. Kellog, John Benjamin, KY, 96. Kenney, James, VA, 97. Kent, Andrew, KY, 98. Kerr, Joseph, LA, 99. Kimbell, George C., PA, and 100. King, William Philip, TX.

101. Lewis, William Irvine, VA, 102. Lightfoot, William J., VA, 103. Lindley, Jonathan L., IL, 104. Linn, William, MA, 105. Losoya, Toribio, TX, 106. Main, George Washington, VA, 107. Malone, William T., GA, 108. Marshall, William, TN, 109. Martin, Albert, RI, 110. McCafferty, Edward, unknown 111. McCoy, Jesse, TN, 112. McDowell, William, PA, 113. McGee, James, Ireland, 114. McGregor, John, Scotland, 115. McKinney, Robert, TN, 116. Melton, Eliel, GA, 117. Miller, Thomas R., TN, 118. Mills, William, TN, 119. Millsaps, Isaac, MS, 120. Mitchell, Edwin T., unknown, 121. Mitchell, Napoleon B., unknown, 122. Mitchusson, Edward F., VA, 123. Moore, Robert B., VA, 124. Moore, Willis A., MS, and 125. Musselman, Robert, OH.

126. Nava, Andres, TX, 127. Neggan, George, SC, 128. Nelson, Andrew M., TN, 129. Nelson, Edward, SC, 130. Nelson, George, SC, 131. Northcross, James, VA, 132. Nowlan, James, England, 133. Pagan, George, MS, 134. Parker, Christopher Adam, unknown, 135. Parks, William, NC, 136. Perry, Richardson, TX, 137. Pollard, Amos, MA, 138. Reynolds, John Purdy, PA, 139. Roberts, Thomas H., unknown, 140. Robertson, James Waters, TN, 141. Robinson, Isaac, Scotland, 142. Rose, James M., OH, 143. Rusk, Jackson J., Ireland, 144. Rutherford, Joseph, KY, 145. Ryan, Isaac, LA, 146. Scurlock, Mial, NC, 147. Sewell, Marcus L., England, 148. Shied, Manson, GA, 149. Simmons, Cleveland Kinlock, SC, and 150. Smith, Andrew H., TN.

151. Smith, Charles S., MD, 152. Smith, Joshua G., NC, 153. Smith, William H., unknown, 154. Starr, Richard, England, 155. Stewart, James E., England, 156. Stockton, Richard L., NJ, 157. Summerlin, A. Spain, TN, 158. Summers, William E., TN, 159. Sutherland, William DePriest, unknown, 160. Taylor, Edward, TN, 161. Taylor, George, TN, 162. Taylor, James, TN, 163. Taylor, William, TN, 164. Thomas, B. Archer M., KY, 165. Thomas, Henry, Germany, 166. Thompson, Jesse G., AR, 167. Thomson, John W., NC, 168. Thruston, John, M., PA, 169. Trammel, Burke, Ireland, 170. Travis, William Barret, SC, 171. Tumlinson, George W., MO, 172. Tylee, James, NY, 173. Walker, Asa, TN, 174. Walker, Jacob, TN, and 175. Ward, William B., Ireland.

176. Warnell, Henry, unknown, 177. Washington, Joseph G., KY, 178. Waters, Thomas, England, 179. Wells, William, GA, 180. White, Isaac, unknown, 181. White, Robert, unknown, 182. Williamson, Hiram James, PA, 183. Wills, William, unknown, 184. Wilson, David L., Scotland, 185. Wilson, John, PA, 186. Wolf, Anthony, unknown, 187. Wright, Claiborne, NC, 188. Zanco, Charles, Denmark, 189. John, a Black Freedman.

Madam Speaker, it's deja vu all over again on the health care bill. The people have tried every way they know to have their voices heard. Town halls, tea parties, even special elections. The people don't want Washington bureaucrats making their medical decisions. But Washington's not listening. People don't want the Feds forcing them to buy health insurance or pay a fine, an idea that's unconstitutional. But Washington's not listening. And when the Senate bill fully kicks in, it will cost $2.5 trillion. We don't have the money. Spending on bailouts and stimulus bills, the taxpayers are out of money. We're broke, and we're borrowing billions of dollars from the Chinese.

But Washington's not listening. The massive health care bill now is 2,700 pages long. Churchill once said, ``This report, by its very length, defends itself against the risk of being read.'' Americans don't want a European-style Nanny State where government makes all our decisions. Government-run health care is unhealthy for Americans, but Washington's not listening.

And that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, at first, Al Gore claimed to invent the Internet. Now it looks like he really did invent something--global warming.

The Nation had one of the coldest winters in years, including record snowfalls in the South; but the Warmers like Al Gore ignore the obvious, and still claim we are all going to perish, saying that Man is the threat to the planet. The groundhog is a better predictor of the weather than Al Gore.

Al Gore's long-winded article in The New York Times over the weekend was long on claims and short on facts. He didn't cite hard sources for his information. Like the rest of the global warming scientists, they are using fraudulent information. We are supposed to take their word for it now that basic data supporting their claims has, all of a sudden, disappeared.

That data has been found to be fraudulent. It is no wonder that data is disappearing.

There seems to be no conclusive scientific data that proves the global warming theory. It is a theory. That is what a theory is, something that isn't proven. The Federal Government is trying to force Americans to pay a cap-and-trade national energy tax, and it is all based on this highly disputed theory of global warming.

The United Nations International Panel on Climate Change issued a report in 2007 that made all kinds of claims about global warming. The report is based on some faulty science.

Climategate started last year when a whistleblower released emails between all these global warming scientists. The emails and other information released showed these guys had been cooking the books. It is still a huge scandal unfolding on the front pages of newspapers all over the world, especially in England.

The Climatic Research Unit at East Anglia University in England is the center of the Climategate scandal. That is where the emails were released by an anonymous whistleblower. Some emails reveal global warming scientists plotting to avoid disclosing information under the Freedom of Information Act in England, and, of course, that is against the law in England. Other email even showed this so-called scientist talking about how to manipulate the data, how to fix the outcome of their scientific experiments.

It sounds like fraud to me. Then they spread this false information around to their buddies without a proper peer review. That is how you perpetrate a hoax.

The data at the basis of all of these findings are based on the same fraudulent data from one of these small groups of scientists. If global warming is the truth, why are these scientists caught in lie after lie? If it is the truth, why would they be lying to the American people in the first place?

The British scientific community spoke out this week about and against their climate science peers. The British Institute of Physics this week said, ``Unless the disclosed emails are proven to be forgeries, worrying implications arise for the integrity of the scientific research and for the credibility of the scientific method.''

There is no credible proof man causes weather changes. It is a way to bilk millions of dollars out of taxpayers with a so-called carbon tax. It seems to be all about money.

Of course, Mr. Gore is heavily invested in green technology. Last year, he was proclaimed by the media to be the first green technology billionaire. That is a billionaire with a B. Al Gore has made a fortune off of global warming, and so have a lot of other people. He should have to back up his claims with hard data, not the data that has been proved to be false. He would have to prove all of the wild claims, and other scientists should have to prove these claims as well, about man being the culprit of global warming.

The fact is that global warming is not a fact. The jury is still out.

And that's just the way it is.